Europe & Africa Fuel Availability Outlook 16 Sep

Prompt fuel availability remains tight in ARA

High demand tightens LSMGO availability in Piraeus

VLSFO and LSMGO require 7-10 days in Luanda

IMAGE: Passenger ships in the Port of Piraeus. Getty Images

Northwest Europe

Prompt fuel availability in the ARA is tight, and buyers have been advised to allow 5-7 days to get good coverage from suppliers, a trader told ENGINE.

The ARA's independently held fuel oil stocks have averaged 17% higher in September so far, compared to August's monthly average, according to Insights Global data.

The ARA hub has imported around 256,000 b/d of fuel oil this month, down from around 342,000 b/d in August, according to Vortexa cargo flows data. Most shipments have come from Mexico (32%), Colombia (28%) and the US (14%).

The region's independent gasoil inventories - which include diesel and heating oil - have gained 2% this month compared to August, according to the Insights Global data.

The region has imported around 157,000 b/d of gasoil in September so far, inching up from an average of around 155,000 b/d imported in August, according to Vortexa data. A majority of shipments have arrived from the US (41%), the UK (17%) and Denmark (14%).

Fuel availability in Hamburg is normal, with five days’ notice recommended for delivery of any grade, a trader told ENGINE.

Bunker availability remains tight off Skaw and in Gothenburg, where buyers have been told to allow 10-14 days for all grades, a trader said.

Mediterranean

Prompt availability at Gibraltar Strait ports is tight, with lead times of 10-12 days recommended for reliable coverage, a trader told ENGINE.

Last week's Gibraltar congestion has now mostly been cleared, but some suppliers in the port have been delayed by 12-16 hours on deliveries, port agent MH Bland said. Some suppliers in Algeciras are running 8-12 hours behind schedule, the port agent added.

In the Spanish port of Ceuta, barge deliveries have been running 4-6 hours late, while ex-pipe deliveries have been running around 8-10 hours behind schedule.

Buyers in Barcelona should place orders at least seven days ahead of delivery for any fuel grade, a trader told ENGINE.

Las Palmas’ bunker availability is tight for prompt deliveries, and buyers have been advised to allow around 10-12 days if they want to avoid steep premiums, a trader told ENGINE.

Availability off Malta is also tight for prompt supplies, with 5-7 days' notice recommended to secure competitively priced fuel, a trader told ENGINE.

LSMGO availability in Piraeus can be a bit tight due to high demand and low barge availability, a local supplier told ENGINE. HSFO is also suffering from low availability, a trader added.

Istanbul fuel availability is normal, with every grade obtainable on 1-3 days' notice, a trader said.

Africa

Prompt VLSFO and LSMGO supply is tight in Togo's Lome, where buyers have been told to allow a week for either grade, a trader told ENGINE.

VLSFO and LSMGO availability is tight in Angola's Luanda, with buyers requested to give around 7-10 days of lead times for deliveries of both fuel grades, a supplier told ENGINE.

Off Namibia's Walvis Bay, prompt supply is tight and buyers have been advised to allow 5-7 days for VLSFO and LSMGO deliveries, a trader told ENGINE.

HSFO, VLSFO and LSMGO are tight for prompt delivery in South Africa's Durban, a trader said, with a week's notice advised for any grade.

Port Louis in Mauritius is very tight, and buyers have been told to allow 10-14 days to secure VLSFO and LSMGO, a trader said.

VLSFO remains tight for prompt delivery at the Mozambican ports of Nacala and Maputo, where a week's notice is needed, a trader told ENGINE.

By Nachiket Tekawade

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